Catalan police probe anonymous Blocus platform after violent Barcelona protests

Catalan police (Mossos d'Esquadra) opened an inquiry into the anonymous platform Blocus after it organized a protest in Barcelona that turned violent. The invitation, circulated mainly on TikTok and via QR codes linking to Telegram and WhatsApp groups, called for youths to replicate the French “Lycées Indignés” rallies, demanding better school resources and quality education, and suggested wearing black, masking faces and using pyrotechnics.

Authorities arrested 128 people, 72 of whom are minors, and identified roughly 450 additional participants, describing them as very young, some under 14, and not part of an organized criminal gang. The investigation is being coordinated with other European police agencies to track the spread of the call. Following the disturbances, Blocus deleted its TikTok account and all posted material. Similar appeals appeared in Madrid but did not spark comparable violence, and the housing-rights camp near Plaza Catalunya, as well as Mayor Jaume Collboni, have publicly distanced themselves from the unrest.